Worth: $14.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú
Intro:
… unlikely to change your life, but as a sorta final film before James Gunn tries to cobble DC’s cinematic output together, it’s an engaging enough send off and a lowkey good time at the movies.
The Flash has been in development of one kind or another since way back in 2016. Originally part of the Snyderverse – Zack Snyder’s dour, grimdark take on the DC pantheon – it was left floundering during the various shake-ups artlessly implemented by panicked studio executives post Justice League.
Then, of course, there was star Ezra Miller’s much publicised dodgy behaviour and cult-starting shenanigans, not to mention a rotating roster of directors coming onto and then leaving the project.
Frankly, most fans began to wonder if the film was ever going to see the light of day or if it would meet an unfortunate fate like Batgirl.
Well, The Flash is finally here, and the result is a film that’s actually pretty good. Not great, not amazing, but solid and worth a watch.
The Flash tells the story of Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), an awkward, shy young man who also happens to be able to move at supersonic speeds, using his powers to right wrongs and battle evil with members of the Justice League.
However, the murder of Barry’s mother, Nora (Maribel Verdú) and the wrongful conviction of his dad, Henry (Ron Livingston) weighs heavily on the wiry speedster. One day, Bazza decides to correct this terrible injustice and zips back in time, changing history and saving the long-dead matriarch. However, this pissfarting about with the space time continuum causes all sorts of complications, including a world without metahumans and, perhaps more alarmingly, a Back to the Future without Michael J. Fox!
We’ll tread lightly in terms of plot specifics, but basically, we end up with two Flashes, an alternate reality Batman (the very welcome return of Michael Keaton), a Supergirl (Sasha Calle), a Zod (Michael Shannon) and a whole bunch of in-jokes, nods and comic book cameos that will have nerdy cinemagoers hooting and hollering and leave everyone else a bit bemused.
The good news is, it works for the most part. Director Andy Muschietti (Mama, It parts 1 and 2) brings genuinely impressive visual comedy to the mix and, when paired with Ezra Miller’s completely committed and funny performance(s), delivers a film that feels lively and nimble for the most part.
So, Miller’s great, Keaton is (of course) excellent as always, what lets the film down? Well, other than being about 20 minutes too long, Sasha Calle’s Supergirl fails to make much of an impact. Certainly, she’s given very little to work with, but she does nothing with what she has. Also, while Michael Shannon is a treat to see, his Zod is one-note and his appearance takes place in the dullest part of the film that is a repetitive CGI-laden slog and a reminder that 2013’s Man of Steel wasn’t very good. It’s unfortunate that a film that has such fun with the status quo for much of its runtime falls prey to the noisy, dull spectacle that plagues so many entries in the genre.
Still, it’s hard to stay mad at a movie that for most of its runtime really is a lot of fun. Ezra Miller embodies the role so well and while you probably wouldn’t hire them as a babysitter, they do a damn fine job regardless. Muschietti is also a great choice for director and proves a dab hand at nailing genuinely funny moments along with a surprisingly effective dollop of pathos in the back end.
The Flash is unlikely to change your life, but as a sorta final film before James Gunn tries to cobble DC’s cinematic output together, it’s an engaging enough send off and a lowkey good time at the movies.
